Animal-trap.



(Fdo Model.)

J. S. MN.

ANiML TRAP.

(Application fled JunA 6, 19024) Wilry ses /3 0127/. fw fa,

UNITED STATES PATENT OFErcE.

JOSEPH SAMUEL MOON, OF NEVADA, MISSOURI.

ANIMAL-TRAP.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 704,355, dated July 8,1902.

Application filed January 6,1902. Serial No. 88,674. (No model.)

T0 all 'wh/mit it 77cm/ cm2/06771,.-

Be it known that I, JOSEPH SAMUEL MOON, a citizen of the United States,residing at Nevada, in the county of Vernon and State of Missouri, haveinvented a new and useful Animal-Trap, of which the following is aspecification.

This invention relates to animal-traps and is especially designed as arat-trap.

The object of the invention is to provide a structure for harboring ratsor other animals in which they are permitted to go in and out at willuntil they have become thoroughly acquainted and take up their permanentabode therein, when the trap may be so arranged or set that the animalsafter once going in cannot get out and are imprisoned, when they may betaken away and disposed of.

Figure 1 of the accompanying drawings represents a plan view of thisimproved trap, showing the tops removed from the central bait-chamberand from the runway forming the entrance thereto, whereby the internalarrangement of these parts maybe seen. Fig. 2 represents a longitudinalvertical section thereof. Fig. 3 represents a front elevation thereofwith the entrance-runway shown in section. Fig. 4 represents a sideelevation of a portion of the entrance-runway, showing the crank-handlefor operating the trappinggate, which is shown in dotted lines inlowered trapping position.

The same reference-numerals indicate corresponding parts in all thefigures.

In the drawings a central or feeding chamber 10 is shown, havingrunways, as 11, leading therefrom to boxes or chambers, as 12, which areadapted to be used as nests or bedchambers for the animals frequentingthe trap. Any desired number of these chambers, as 12, may be employed,one opening into the other and separably connected; but in the formillustrated three only are shown, which lead directly from the mainfeedingchamber 10. T he trap is preferably formed with a common base 13,which serves as a bottom for the chamber 10 and the runways openingtherefrom. The nests or bed-chambers, as 12, are made detachable, havingbottoms of their own, so that they may be re moved from the trap properand carried away with their contents securely fastened up therein.Theyarepreferablyprovided withhinged doors ortops, as 14, having hooks,as 15, which are adapted to engage pins on the side of the box-likechamber, as 12, and Ahold it against accidental opening. These chambers,as 12, are also provided with openings at the fronts thereof,which communicate with the runways, as 1l, and are provided along the sidesthereof with vertical strips, as 16, for receiving sliding doors, as 17,for closing them when desired.

The central feed or bait chamber 10 is preferably provided withfood-boxes, as 18, which are made of some thin material through whichthe animals may gnaw and readily get to the contents thereof. Theseboxes are closed to render them less suspicious and cause the animals nouneasiness as to its being a bait for them. These boxes may be suppliedin any desired manner, preferably through pipes or chutes, as 19,through which the food, such as grain and the like, may be fed from thetop. One of these receptacles, as 1S, is preferably made in the form ofa trough for holding water, milk, or other liquid and is suppliedthrough a tube, as just described, or the top 10 of the chamber 10 maybe opened and the food and drink placed in the receptacles therethrough.

The entrance-runway 2O opens into the feed-chamber 10 through an openingtherein and is preferably provided with atop or cover 2l and ispermanently open at the end 22 thereof, through which the animals arepermitted to pass into the central chamber 10. This entrance-runway 20is preferably provided near its front end with depending fingers, as 23,which are loosely hung on a bar 24, extending transversely across thetop of the runway 20. These fingers swing freely and are designed forthe purpose of getting the animals which frequent the trap accustomed topassing under an obstruction which they will find does not interferewith their passing out as well as into the structure.

A crank-shaft 2a is journaled in the sides of the runway 20, in front ofthe depending iingers, as 23, and is provided on the outside of saidrunway with a crank-handle 25. This crank-shaft is designed as a meansfor raising and holding in raised position the fingers, as 23, when itis so desired,.by turning the crank-handle up until it passes over and-is supported by a pin or other projection 26 near the upper edge of therunway 20. To lower the fingers, thecrank-handle 25 is disengaged fromthe pin 26 and turned downward away from the fingers, as 23, therebycausing them to drop into their normal depending position.

A gate 30 is journaled at its upper end in the opposite sides of therunway 20, near the top thereof,and is provided with an arc-sh apedrecess or cut-out portion at its lower edge. This gate may be made ofany desired material and is preferably provided at its inner front facewith a plate 31, riveted thereto and having an outwardly-extendingflange This plate 3l is preferably provided near its top withoppositely-disposed perforated ears, y

as 33, for receiving the opposite ends of a rod 31, which is providedwith loosely-disposed freely-swinging fingers, as 35, similar to thelingers, as 23. These fingers, as 35, extend downwardly across therunway 2O and rest against the liange 32, which holds them in aninclined position. The lower ends of these fingers are preferably bentupwardly to facilitate the entrance of the animal into the trapthereunder.

A crank-shaft 3G is journaled in the sides of the runway 20 in front ofthe gate 30 and is provided on the outside of the runway with a crank-handle 37 for operating the crank-shaft 36 to raise or lower the gate30. In normal position the crank-handle 37 is turned up and extends overand is held by a pin or projection 38 on the side of the runway 20. Thisposition of the handle causes the shaft 36 to engage the gate 30 andraise it into horizontal position out of the path of the animalsentering the runway. To lower the gate 30 into position to prevent theanimals from going out after they have entered the chamber 10, thecrank-handle 37 is turned down and sprung between two pins 39 and 39 onthe side of the runway 20. These pins hold the handle against turningwith the shaft 36 in contact with the gate 30, which is in lower orvertical position. The rat or other animal after passing in under thefreely-swinging fingers, as 35, is prevented from coming out again byreason of the gate 30 being held by the crank-shaft 36 against outwardmovement.

In the operation of this trap or harbor it is preferably buried out ofsight, or nearly so, in some place where stock will not bother it.Straw, hay, or old boards may be used as a covering, orit may be buriedin the earth. The object in buryingit is to make it more attractive tothe animals, especially rats, which will not frequenta place that is toopublic. The nests or boxes, as 12, are preferably iilled with hay or anymaterial designed to makea comfortable bed for the animal, so that hewill be satised with his surroundings and invite his family andrelatives to share his good home.

Before the trap is covered up the crank-handle 37 is swung up intoengagement with the pin 3S, thereby holding the gate 30 in raisedposition out of the runway. The crank-handle 25 at the front of theentrance-runway is lowered to permit the depending fingers, as 23, toswing down across the path ofthe runway. The trap is then leftundisturbed for some time until the animals which it is desired to trapget accustomed to going in and out of the harbor unmolested. IVhen theyfind that they may come and go as they please, they will make it theirpermanent home and will go out at night and return in the day. After ithas been ascertained by examining the trap that animals are frequentingit the operator will then turn the crankhandle 25 up into engagementwith the pin 26 and hold the depending fingers, as 23, in horizontalposition out of the animals path. I'Ie then lowers the crank-handle '37into engagement with the two pins 39 and 39' and permits the gate 30 todrop into vertical position and be held against outward-swinging Theanimals being accustomed to entering under the fingers, as 23, will notnotice the ngers, as 35, and will pass in unsuspiciously under them,whence they will proceed to their respective beds, as 12. The operatormay then lower the doors, as 17, in front of the boxes, as 12, andremove the boxes with their occupants to any desired place and disposeof them. If properly attended to, a harvest of rats will be the reward.

I claim as my inventionl. A trap having an entrance runway,freely-swinging obstructingbars disposed across the same, means to raisesaid obstructing-bars, a gate in said runway, behind the said bars,means to raise said gate and secure the same against outward movement,and 0bstructing-bars connected to and carried by said gate, free toswing inwardly therefrom and prevented by the gate from movingoutwardly, substantially as described.

2. A trap provided with a swinging gate at the entrance thereto, acrank-shaft disposed adjacent to said gate and provided with a.crankhandle, and means for locking said handle in adjusted position andholding said gate against outward movement.

3. A trap provided with a swinging gate at the entrance thereto, acrank-shaft disposed in front of said gate and havinga crank-handleconnected therewith, and pins disposed at various points on said trapfor engaging said handle and holding it in adjusted position for lockingthe gate in the desired position.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own I have hereto aiiixedmy signature in the presence of two witnesses.

JOSEPH SAMUEL MOON.

Vi tnesses:

C. S'. GRANT, L. A. BYARLAY.

IIO

